Chapter 15

Julian pulled up at the hospital and immediately spotted Lila's kindergarten teacher standing outside the emergency room with his daughter in her arms. The moment Lila saw him, she burst into tears. She wriggled free from her teacher's grasp and flung herself into his arms. "Daddy!" Julian caught her and scooped her up without a second's delay. Then, he hurried into the emergency room. He walked so fast that he nearly stumbled. Meanwhile, Lila buried her face in his neck, her small body curled against his chest. Her voice came through as a muffled, tearful whimper as she said, "Daddy, I miss Mommy… Aunt Bianca doesn't care about me. I called her, but she didn't answer…" Every word felt like a pinprick, sharp enough to hit Julian where it hurt most. At that moment, guilt and worry mingled in his chest. He tightened his arms around Lila and tried to comfort her, saying, "It's okay, sweetheart. I'm here. Mommy will come back too." It wasn't until they were in a treatment room that